Air India flight crashes minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, airport operations halted

New Delhi, June 12: A tragic air accident struck Gujarat on Thursday afternoon when Air India Flight AI171, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed just minutes after departing from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The incident led to the immediate suspension of all flight operations at the airport as a safety measure.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, lifted off at 1:38 PM IST but lost contact within five minutes. It crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, close to the airport boundary, causing a massive fire and significant structural damage. Shocking visuals showed parts of the aircraft embedded in a hostel building, with thick smoke rising over the locality, triggering widespread panic.

The flight was being operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran pilot with over 8,200 hours of flight experience, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft issued a distress signal ("Mayday") shortly after takeoff before losing radio contact.

Emergency responders, including fire services and three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Gandhinagar, were deployed to the crash site. Additional NDRF reinforcements from Vadodara are en route. Air India has set up a dedicated helpline (1800 5691 444) for relatives seeking information about passengers onboard.

Although casualties have not been officially confirmed, initial assessments suggest a possible bird strike may have led to engine failure. The DGCA has launched a detailed investigation, with teams already on-site collecting data. Air India has expressed its condolences and pledged full cooperation with authorities.

The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, had earlier completed a domestic leg from Delhi to Ahmedabad the same day, according to flight tracking data.